Eric Clapton and the Orange Card

Last week I saw Eric Clapton in concert and then two days later was in a reception in the White House with the First Lady. I found some surprising similarities. First, graciousness. Clapton, as noted in an earlier post, is gracious about having his side men play. One reviewer suggested that he is losing it because he let his side men have so much center stage. I think differently. I have seen Clapton live twice - once with Buddy Guy and in both places he was great about being a part of the band not just the only performer on stage. Mrs. Bush has those same qualities. I am not sure how many of these events she has to do a year but it must be a lot and yet she was gracious to a fault in waiting through the pictures (described below) and then in giving us welcome.

Second, is repitition. Before Clapton could leave he had to do Lela. I wonder how old that song is getting for him. Clapton's musical contributions are huge. He revived several old time bluesmen. He wrote some very good electric and acoustic guitar music. He interprets other's work with great care (Me and Mr. Johnson - where he mixes some of his own and Robert Johnson's work is but one example.) On Thursday night there was a clamor for the "orange cards." In a White House reception, everyone wants a picture with the First Lady. Thus, you are required to get an orange card which has your name and home town. You are then escorted by a military person and introduced to the First Lady. This custom is odd. The picture is a great memento. But everyone clamors for the card so that they can get their 30 seconds with the First Lady. It is an efficient if not a bit surreal process. I expect that these formalities are often tiring for Mrs. Bush - but she certainly did not show it. I was greeted warmly had a chance to say a few things to her and Secretary Spellings and then moved on. The last time I was in the White House was during the Nixon Administration, which is quite a few years ago. Clapton and Mrs. Bush wear their status well.